Fertilizer subsidy Rs 65 b

Mar 31, 2010 8:00:00 PM - aussieindolanka.com

The Government has spent over Rs. 65 billion for farmers’ fertilizer subsidy between 2008 -2009 while also giving various tax relief measures to import agricultural implements and issue paddy seed free of charge, Agriculture and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.
The Government spends nearly Rs. 7,500 for a 50 Kg bag of fertilizer given to farmers at Rs. 350 under the subsidized rate. A farmer had been given the fertilizer subsidy costing Rs.1,044, 600 for one acre of land of paddy for all eight crop seasons during last four years, the Minister said.
He was addressing the media yesterday responding to the statement of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at an election rally where he said the Government has done nothing for the farmers. The Government also re-established the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) to revive the market and invigorate the paddy purchasing scheme and stabilized the paddy price for farmers.
Today there was a stable price, Rs. 29.50 for one Kg. of Nadu and Rs. 31.50 for one Kg. Samba paid by the PMB for farmers, Minister Sirisena said.
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